Weekend Warm-Up No. 7: Hip-Hopping
–Words and list by Kevin Madert
There’s nothing quite like rapping along word-for-word with your favorite MCs, even if it’s in the driver’s seat of your beat-up Acura and not on their most recent headlining tour. From party rapper Wallpaper’s questionably serious “#STUPiDFACEDD” to the sunshine ‘n’ summertime vibes of “Coastin’” and “Ghostwriter,” these tracks are ready-made for pregames, preparties, or any other pre- you can imagine. We’ve even included a few electronically tinged numbers – Culprate lays down a rumbling rhythm for Maksim, and RJD2 crafts poignant hip-hop without any words at all.
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Weekend Warm-Up No. 6: Screamo/Metalcore Throwback
–Words and list by Michael Hogan
I remember the first time I heard As I Lay Dying. I believe it was 2003; it was the demo for “Forever,” not even the real track off of Frail Words Collapse. Hell, Frail Words Collapse hadn’t even been released yet. Up to this point I had been running on a borderline unhealthy mix of AFI and Slipknot, but this was a game changer. As I Lay Dying was so much heavier, so much more chaotic. It was like a mix of all the best qualities of my reliable staples of the time and I loved it. Of course, it also opened the floodgates to my discovery of all the bands that made this list. So with that, he’s a trip down memory lane with some old-school heavy.
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Weekend Warm-Up No. 5: Tranced
–Words and list by Kevin Madert
This one was a no-brainer. Nothing says “get the f*ck up” like the rigid structure and crescendo progression of a hard-hitting trance song, and even though these ten caught my ear this list could have been populated by one of thousands of other equally worthy tunes. Anjunabeats is well-represented – “Sushi” being one of the better progressive tracks the label has released – and I’ll defend to the death the inclusion of Basshunter on this list.
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Weekend Warm-Up No. 4: Rad Drummers
–Words and list by Michael Hogan
Do you remember sitting in chemistry class in high school, trying to figure out a new concept, and your brain just keeps stumbling over itself? You’re reaching to understand something, and you feel like you’re so close, but it’s always just out of reach? Maybe I’m just especially terrible at chemistry (I am), but this same principle applies to these tracks, featuring some of the gnarliest drumming ever recorded.
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Weekend Warm-Up No. 3: Punk That Pops
–Words and list by Kevin Madert
Nothing quite compares to the all-around upbeat nature of a well-crafted pop-punk tune. Major chord progressions, scything drum kicks, and positive to a fault lyrics delivered with a boyish (or girlish) smirk. My inner 10th grader couldn’t help but pump his fist and pretend every word was written to describe me. Whether on the heavy side – “Beatdown in the Key of Happy” and “The Downfall of Us All” drip with post-hardcore – or lighter fare – “Everything Is Alright” and “Plays Pretty For Baby” for starters – it’s all nostalgic, and it’s all too damn catchy.
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